Local Information A - Z

Airport

Thanks to the strong growth recorded over the last 5 years, Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport has consolidated its passengers traffic with more than 8,4 million travellers in 2012.

Airport Transfer

Airport Shuttle: Rhonexpress
An express tramway, RHONEXPRESS, links the Lyon-Saint Exupéry International airport to the central Lyon Part-Dieu railway station in 25 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes guaranteeing safe, swift access to the heart of the city.

Taxi
Taxis are available at the taxi stands at the Terminal 1 & 2. The journey to the city centre is estimated to cost 40 EUR and takes approximately 30 minutes. Fares are metered and there are some supplements.

Banks and Exchange Offices

Exchange offices (most of them):
Monday – Friday: 09:30 to 18:30
Saturday: 09:30 to 18:00
Sunday: closed

Banks:
Monday - Friday: 09:00 to 18:30
Saturday: 09:00 to 12:00
Sunday: closed

Climate

In Lyon, summers are very warm, averaging just above 22 °C (71.6 °F) in August. Precipitation is at an average of 62 millimetres in August.

Culture and Entertainment

The Lyon metropolitan area lies in a strategic location in the natural plain of the Rhone Valley. It is surrounded by the Beaujolais country in the north, the Monts du Lyonnais in the west, and the plains of the Dombes and Isère in the east and north.

Half way between the sea and the mountains, the city is characterized by duality. The two hills overlooking the city: Fourvière and Croix-Rousse and the two very different rivers running through Lyon reveal the two faces of the town. Another remarkable feature is the location at the confluence of the two rivers, the Rhone and Saône.

Whether you are high on top of Fourvière hill, meandering in 'Vieux-Lyon', the city's most historic district, or climbing the slopes of the Croix-Rousse, you are in an area of nearly 500 hectares where Lyon has played out its history over the last 2,000 years. This site has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1998. According to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Lyon bears exceptional testimony to the continuity of urban settlement over more than two millennia. In Lyon, the topography allowed neighbourhoods gradually to extend eastwards over the course of the centuries, leaving a remarkable physical continuity in the locations favoured by each historical period.

Lyon is a city of light: every evening, stroller will notice the illuminations that show up the contours of the rivers and create haloes around the monumental facades of the Hôtel Dieu, the Lyon Stock Exchange, the Fine Arts Museum and the City Hall. Lighting is an essential element in Lyon's urban design. The city's geographical situation is well suited to illuminations, with its two hills that offer so many points of view and its two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone, that never stop shimmering.

For more information: http://www.en.lyon-france.com/Things-to-do/Culture-Activities

Currency

The currency used in Lyon is Euro (€ or EUR). Money changing services can be found not only at the Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport but also most shopping centres and hotels in Lyon. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are located everywhere in Lyon and they accept most main credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Electricity

Lyon uses 220 Volts.

Emergency Numbers

Fire: 18
Ambulance (MEDICAL EMERGENCY): 15
Federal Police: 17

Food and Drink

The reputation of Lyon for fine cuisine was established centuries ago. Today it is maintained by several hundred chefs.

The Lyon region contains the greatest number of 'starred' Chefs whose names are known all over the world: Paul Bocuse, JP Lacombe, Guy Lassausaie, Pierre Orsi, Gérard Vignat, Mathieu Viannay...

Lyon's one thousand-plus restaurants range from internationally renowned restaurants to the simplest "bouchon".

From Beaujolais and Burgundy in the north, Coteaux du Lyonnais in the west and Côtes du Rhône in the south, some of France's finest vineyards begin at the gates of Lyon. A good excuse for discovering areas that each have their own character and flavours.

For more information: http://www.en.lyon-france.com/Eat

Health and Medicare

Healthcare in Lyon is of a high quality.
Pharmacists are available from 09:00 to 19:00.
Emergency Pharmacy Lyon: Grande Pharmacie Lyonnaise

Insurance

Attendees are advised to arrange their own adequate travel and medical insurance against medical treatment, accidents, cancellation of bookings, etc. No responsibility will be accepted by the Congress Organisers.

Internet

Attendees will have access to free Wi-Fi at the Congress venue.

Language

The official language is French.

Lunches and Refreshments

Lunches and refreshments are not included in the registration fees. However, attendees can purchase a variety of food and beverages in the various food courts at the Congress venue.

Passports, Visas and letters of invitation

All foreign nationals entering and staying on French territory must be in possession of a valid entry and stay visa, unless being exempt from this requirement. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date of expiry of your short-stay visa. It must contain at least two blank pages to take the visa and French entry and exit stamps. However, it is the sole responsibility of the attendee to take care of his/her visa requirements and it is best to consult your local consular office for the latest information with regards to entering France.

Attendees who require an entry visa must allow sufficient time for the application procedure. Attendees should contact the nearest embassy or consulate to determine the appropriate timing of their visa applications. It is recommended to apply for a visa at least 3 months in advance of the Congress.

Shopping and Opening Hours

Shops are usually open from Monday to Friday, 10:00 – 19:00. On Saturday shops are usually open from 10:00 – 19:00. On Sunday shops are usually closed (except in the old town).

For more information: http://www.en.lyon-france.com/Things-to-do

Telephone and Postal Services

France's International dialing code is +33.

Post Office (main Office on Place Bellecour):

From the 13 August to 19 August 2014

Monday: 10:00–12:30 – 14:00–17:30
Tuesday: 10:00–12:30 – 14:00–17:30
Wednesday: 10:00–12:30 – 14:00–17:30
Thursday: 10:00–12:30 – 14:00–17:30
Friday: 10:00–12:30 – 14:00–17:30

From the 20 August to 02 September 2014

Monday: 09:00–18:30
Tuesday: 09:00–18:30
Wednesday: 09:00–18:30
Thursday: 09:00–18:30
Friday: 09:00–18:30

Tipping

Tipping is optional.

Tourist Information Office

Lyon Tourism and Conventions Bureau
Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon

Reception Desk
Tel.: +33 (0) 4 72 77 69 69
Email: info@lyon-france.com

Reservation Centre
Tel.: +33 (0) 4 72 77 72 50
Email: resa@lyon-france.com
Fax: +33 (0) 4 78 42 04 32
Opening Hours: 7 days 7, 09:00 to 18:00.

Transportation

By car:
Paris-Lyon: 465km (A6)
Marseille-Lyon: 315km (A7)
Genève –Lyon: 149km (A40)
Montpellier-Lyon: 303km (A7-A9)

Lyon is two hours away from the Alps and less than three hours from the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.

Public Transportation:
4 metro lines
5 tram system lines
More than 120 urban bus lines

Vélo'V:
Freely available bicycle service.
4000 bicycles available throughout the city.
340 conveniently located bike stations, 6 of which are located in the Cité Internationale (Convention Centre).

For more information: http://www.en.lyon-france.com/Practical-Lyon/Access-Transport

Last update: 7 October 2013